(December 13, 2013)… The Rochester Knighthawks will conclude their preseason schedule with two games in two days this weekend. The back-to-back National Lacrosse League champs will battle the Toronto Rock and Calgary Roughnecks. The Knighthawks will return to action on Saturday, December 14th with a trip to Oakville, Ontario to play rival Toronto. Rochester will battle its East Division foes at 7:00 p.m. at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC).

Next Game: Rochester will close out the preseason with an 11:00 a.m. scrimmage against Calgary on Sunday, December 15th at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). The game at the ILA is free and open to the public.

Knighthawks’ Preseason Opener: The Knighthawks opened the preseason with a 16-15 loss to the Minnesota Swarm Saturday night. A crowd of over 10,000 watched Johnny Powless tie the game with 11 seconds to play, only to have rookie Scott Jones score the game-winner with two seconds left in the contest. For Rochester, Craig Point led the way with six goals and three assists, while Cory Vitarelli had two goals and three assists. Powless also posted three goals and two assists, and Dan Dawson scored once and registered five assists. Matt Vinc started the game and played the first half, helping Rochester take a 5-4 lead into halftime. Brandon Styres played the third and Ian Duffy appeared in the final 15 minutes of action.

Toronto Opens with Win: The Rock (1-0) will also play their second game of the preseason after opening their schedule with a 13-12 win over the Colorado Mammoth last Saturday night at the TRAC. The Rock were led by three goals from Stephan Leblanc, and a pair of markers from Scott Johnston, Garrett Billings and Rob Hellyer.

Knighthawks News: The Knighthawks enter the 2014 season with an opportunity to become the first NLL team to win three straight league championships. Cody Jamieson became just the second player in NLL history to win back-to-back Championship Game MVP Awards, joining John Tavares, the league’s all-time leading scorer, who did so in 1992 and 1993. He is also the sixth different player to win multiple Championship MVP Awards. Last season, Rochester goaltender Matt Vinc broke the NLL’s single-season save record by making 662 stops. He also finished the regular season with a league-best 10.17 goals-against average and a .803 save percentage. He became the first Knighthawk goaltender to finish a season with over 600 saves and earn a save percentage over .800, breaking both franchise records held by Knighthawks Hall of Fame netminder Pat O’Toole. He and Dallas Eliuk are the only two goaltenders to lead the NLL in saves four times in their careers. Vinc also became the only three-time winner of the NLL Goaltender of the Year Award. Dan Dawson stands seventh on the NLL’s all-time assist (577) and points (946) lists. He also has 369 goals in 187 games. In the NLL Playoffs, he is second in assists (73), fourth in points (118) and seventh in goals (45).

Knighthawks sign Thompson: Rochester announced Thursday that they have signed free agent goalie Mikey Thompson to a one-year deal for the 2014 NLL season. Thompson, who hails from Akwesasne, enters his ninth season in the NLL after spending the 2013 season with the Philadelphia Wings. The Wings acquired Thompson from the Buffalo Bandits in exchange for the team’s 2013 third-round draft pick. He played with Buffalo for six seasons (2007-12). In his final season, he recorded 333 saves and a .753 save percentage. In his career, he owns an 11.53 goals-against average and a 31-13 record. Thompson will add depth to the goaltending position that currently includes three-time NLL Goalie of the Year Matt Vinc, Angus Goodleaf and Brandon Styres.

Season Opener: Rochester will host Minnesota to kick off the team's historic 20th season on Saturday, December 28th at The Blue Cross Arena. The game is a 7:30 p.m. start and will begin with the raising of the 2013 NLL Championship banner. Tickets are currently available by calling the Rochester Knighthawks’ office at (585) 454-4295.

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